WORCESTER — “It’s a very big win for the program. (We’re) very excited right now to go to states. It’s a good way to close out the season on our home court.”

Methacton coach Craig Kaminski put it as well as anyone could. With Saturday’s 59-40 win against Garnet Valley, the Methacton girls will head into the PIAA playoffs with the ninth seed out of District One.

As Methacton ran out to an 11-2 lead early in the first, it seemed as though the Warriors were going to have a wire-to-wire blowout on their hands. Everything was clicking for the Warriors early: Sarah Sherman hit threes, Kelsey Watson and Jenna Carroll were up to their usual scoring and rebounding exploits and Kelly Glatthorn was making her shots as well.

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Things turned for Methacton about halfway through the first when Watson picked up her second foul, and Kaminski chose to sit her for the rest of the half. Garnet Valley was able to take advantage of the Watson-less Warriors, going on an 8-0 run in the second to take an 18-16 lead. Methacton rallied with an 8-0 run of their own, and went into the second half up 24-18.

“The last couple games (Watson’s) been getting into early foul trouble and it hurts us a little bit. She’s a big part of this team and program and one of the reasons that we made it this far,” Kaminski said.

“She does a lot for us offensively and defensively,” Kaminski continued. “It’s going to be very important down the stretch that we stay out of foul trouble and keep the starters on the floor as much as possible.”

Watson scored 12 and collected five rebounds in essentially two quarters of play.

After a back and forth third quarter, Kaminski put Watson in for good in the fourth, and the Warriors exploded, overwhelming the Jaguars 23-13 in the frame. Jenna Carroll didn’t miss in the quarter, scoring 13 on 4-4 shooting from the field and 5-5 from the line. Watson scored five and hit 3-4 free throws.

“She’s been very consistent for us all year,” Kaminski said about Carroll. “She improves each game and when we isolate her on the fast break and around the basket, she’s got tremendous basketball moves. She’s tough to stop.”

Carroll led everyone with 19 points and collected seven off the glass. Kelly Glatthorn scored nine.

“Coach Kaminski did a great job making an adjustment off of our press,” Jaguar coach Joe Woods said. “Our press was working for us a bit, but they came back and broke it.”

Woods went on, “There’s a reason why they’re (the fifth seed in the district). I can see them doing well in states.”

Madison Ireland and Coley Ricci led Garnet Valley with 11 apiece.

“(The coaching staff) has been there,” Kaminski said about states. “The girls are looking at it as another game, but as of today, we’re one of the best 32 teams in the state of Pennsylvania. That’s something to be very proud of.”

“We’re stressing that we don’t want to go with (a mindset of) ‘whatever happens, happens,’” he continued. “We want to go and try to win and advance. Every team we’re going to play is a very good team, and we have to show up with our A-game and be focused and ready to play.”

Methacton will play Cardinal O’Hara on Friday at a time and location yet to be determined.